"He happens to be
in the town."
Oldfield called again in an hour. Wheeler told him a thousand pounds
would be accepted, with a written apology.
Oldfield shook his head. "Sir Charles will never write an apology:
right or wrong, he is too sincere in his conviction."
"He will never get a jury to share it."
"You must not be too sure of that. You don't know the defense."
Oldfield said this with a gravity which did him credit.
"Do you know it yourself?" said the other keen hand.
Mr. Oldfield smiled haughtily, but said nothing. Wheeler had hit the
mark.
"By the by," said the latter, "there is another little matter. Sir
Charles assaulted me for doing my duty to my client. I mean to sue him.
Here is the writ; will you accept service?"
"Oh, certainly, Mr. Wheeler and I am glad to find you do not make a
habit of serving writs on gentlemen in person."
"Of course not. I did it on a single occasion, contrary to my own wish,
and went in person--to soften the blow--instead of sending my clerk."
After this little spar, the two artists in law bade each other farewell
with every demonstration of civility.
Sir Charles would not apologize.
The plaintiff filed his declaration.
The defendant pleaded not guilty, but did not disclose a defense. The
law allows a defendant in libel this advantage.
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